A Survey of Measures for Network Motifs

Network motifs provide an enlightening insight into uncovering the structural design principles of complex networks across multifarious disciplines, such as physics, biology, social science, engineering, and military science. Measures for network motifs play an indispensable role in the procedures of motif measurement and evaluation which are crucial steps in motif detection, counting, and clustering. However, there is a relatively small body of literature concerned with measures for network motifs. In this paper, we review the measures for network motifs in two categories: structural measures and statistical measures. The application scenarios for each measure and the distinctions of measures in similar scenarios are also summarized. We also conclude the challenges for using these measures and put forward some future directions on this topic. Overall, the objective of this survey is to provide an overview of motif measures, which is anticipated to shed light on the theory and practice of complex networks.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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